Surf updates

[TCS]

Point well taken Chris. Here's another tidbit related to swell intervals. Swell period matters as much as direction at the launch. A four foot northwest swell with a 5 second period will pound the launch. Same swell direction with a 15 second interval will leave the launch virtually untouched. (Usually) This is due to the bathymetry of the ocean floor. The energy in a long period swell reaches much deeper under the surface of the water and the energy can then be funneled into certain areas according to the bottom contours.

For example, on a long period northwest swell, the launch might be flat and scripps overhead. On a short period swell there is not as much difference in size, although scripps will still be bigger.

[blackcloud9]

Here is my take on gauging the launch from buoy readings, since everyone asks this
question at our FastLane Kayak Fishing Seminars ...

http://larryl.com/favorite_kayak_conditions.htm

TCS hit it right on the nose. I would go as far as saying that swell PERIOD matters a
whole lot more than direction at the Shores launch. Any swell, whether its from 195,
210, 270, or 295, with a long swell period (>12 seconds) will have very little effect at
the launch.

Short period "wind swells" (< 8 seconds) are the problem, as they disregard the canyon's
refracting effects and swarm the launch area at very consistent intervals when they
arrive.

At Big Rock, where I launch generally, its precisely the opposite. This weekend will have
excellent launch conditions at both places. Bring the sunhat and sunscreen though,
summer is finally here!